New single from Apollo Brown and Guilty Simpson’s forthcoming album, Dice Game. This joint of course contains Simpson’s gruff delivery and Brown’s bluesy/soulful accompaniment. The album drops on November 13th.
Single You Out: 7evenThirty- Twenty Twelve (Apollo Brown Remix)
Is this how 7evenThirty’s new album sounds? Why did I sleep? Why have I not copped this? I have only myself to blame because this song sounds ever so good. If you feel this, you can pick up Heaven’s Computer at a great price!
Frank Ramz – Quite Frankly (2012)
Artist: Frank Ramz
Album: Quite Frankly
Source: 2Dopeboyz
Tracklisting:
1. Morning Blackout (prod. by Thelonious Martin)
2. Zone Out (prod. by Alex Goose)
3. Art Imitates Life (prod. by Thelonious Martin)
4. Gold Mine
5. I Be Damned
6. Individuality (prod. by Woody)
7. Kamo Gang (prod. by Blue Sky Black Death)
8. The Success Of Failure
9. Brief Intermission 2.0 (prod. by Woody)
10. Rather Be Alone (prod. by Woody)
11. S.A.D. (ft. G.P.) (prod. by Blue Sky Black Death)
12. Holy Water & Devil Springs (prod. by Apollo Brown)
13. Time’s Of The Essence (prod. by Bad News Rap Dudes)
14. Backside (prod. by Daffy)
15. A Bronx Tale
16. Still Thinking Sober (prod. by Blue Sky Black Death)
Note:
I am familiar with Frank Ramz, but to be perfectly honest I can’t tell you that I was a big supporter, or that I was up on his skill level. If I did say that, it would be disenegeous. He was lost in the pack of my vast iTunes collection, until I heard Quite Frankly. He made a believer out of me with this release. Sure he has production from the likes of Blue Sky Black Death and Apollo Brown. That might draw people to the album, but it’s Frank Ramz who puts on the show.
UllNevaNo – The Color Brown Part II (2012)
Artist: UllNevaNo
Album: The Color Brown Part II
Source: Artist
Tracklisting:
1.Part 2
2.Comes Natural
3.Morning
4.Hand Movements
5.Who You Know
6.Writers Workshop
7.Outer Regions feat. Ahhzel(Late Bloomers)
8.Accepted
9.Substance feat.Tay Black, Logic Marselis and Stephen Hicks
10.Horror Flick
11.I Cant Take It
12.Quick Strike feat. Matth Damon
13.Importance feat. Rome Cee
14.Yesterday feat. E-Major
15.Just Listen
Note:
The first notable release of 2012 belongs to Baltimore’s own, UllNevaNo. He releases The Color Brown Part II mixtape where he flows over Apollo Brown instrumentals. Ordinarily I wouldn’t mention a project where it’s an emcee flowing over another artist’s instrumentals but the quality of the project is incredible. Also, Apollo Brown hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves as a dope producer and these beats really continue to showcase his talents, as UllNevaNo puts his own lyrical twist to them.
UllNevaNo sounds so comfortable and dope over this collection of beats. It’s hard to pick favorites but I really like Who You Know, Importance, and Just Listen. Just Listen features one of my favorite Apollo Brown beats. It’s just so beautiful, soulful, and boom bap all at the same time.
There are two things that I hope happen with this project. 1) I hope you download this project immediately, and get familiar with both Apollo Brown and UllNevaNo. 2) I hope Apollo Brown hears this and he decides they need to do an original project together. It just sounds like it needs to be done.
Single You Out: UllNevaNo – Hand Movements
UllNevaNo and I began to politic over Twitter about his new project coming out in late November entitled, Color Brown Part 2. He will be trying to do justice to Apollo Brown beats, who I consider to be one of the best producers out there. If his work on this track is any indication, I think the mixtape will be exceptional. He rips this joint.
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The Regiment – The Panic Button (2011)
Artist: The Regiment
Album: The Panic Button
Source: Kevin Nottingham
Tracklisting:
- The R [prod by Soulution]
- Detroit Hip Hop [prod by Newstalgia]
- Battle Cry [prod by Apollo Brown]
- Beauty of a Day [prod by Soulution]
- Guns and Butter [prod by Kev Brown]
- Let Her Go (feat. Vincent J. Kelley) [prod by Beat Butcha]
- Just Shine [prod by BEATNICK DEE]
- The Reason [prod by Apollo Brown]
- Everything (feat. Vincent J. Kelley) [prod by Soulution]
- Believe [prod by Newstalgia]
- Make Do [prod by Newstalgia]
- That’s Why (feat. Substantial) [prod by Soulution]
- Get Away (feat. Vincent J. Kelley) [prod by Soulgate]
- 100 (feat. Kev Brown, Finale) [prod by Soulution]
- Clarity [prod by Soulution]
- Battle Cry Remix (feat. Boog Brown) [prod by Apollo Brown]
- Old School Vibe Remix [prod by Apollo Brown]
Note:
First off, let it be said that these guys and their team did an excellent job of promoting this release. They were constantly putting out music (First Mondays) and the word was buzzing (at least on my end). There have been a ton of good releases this year, and a handful of great ones. The Panic Button just might be cracking that latter category as soon as you get a chance to listen to it.
The Regiment: Battle Cry (Video)
This video for Battle Cry was released in conjunction with their album, The Panic Button, dropping yesterday. I gave it one listen yesterday and really dug the sound of it all. This song definitely bangs and if you like what you hear make sure you cop the album.
Single You Out: Apollo Brown – Half Full (ft. Sab The Artist, Mr. Chief, Dynas, Protoman)
To be truthful, if Apollo Brown is attached to your song or project, it will in all likelihood be featured here. He is at the pinnacle of dope production and what I like about this cut is that it differs from his previous work. On The Left album, Gas Mask, the tracks had that boom bap with a touch of soul. There were many great vocal samples throughout that record as well. This time Apollo Brown forgoes that style and crafts a beat that utilizes a little funk, making this cut a little more playful. It still adheres to his excellent standards. The chorus made me want to claim a seat at the local bar and raise my glass. The emcees all dropped some heat in their verses. But enough…
Hip Hop Dependency 